The visitors main entrance of Mercedes Benz
2002This is what you first see of the head office of Mercedes
Benz in Stuttgart. It is very tight on the road to this place. Furthermore the office
is placed close and under a motorway. We couldn't see any road signs. We
had to drive after our feeling and atmosphere. There were lots of old
and new Mercedes
cars, Smarts and ordinary ones in the overcrowded parking
along the road up to this picture. It must be here. There was not any
reception room. We had to take a chance. Bosse parked a little
impudently on a turning place for busses. Behind a gate it was a guard.
That one we can ask. We were left in the car a little worried. Some
rumors about police. But we could trust in Bosse. The visitors parking
place was inside the gate and the turning place was for internal busses
to the museum. Well driving in for parking, to the left of the gate
along more or less expensive and testing Mercedes cars in the level of
dream status. At the end we parked our buss in the sunny day. Rolling
out of the buss a bit stiff and went toddling back to the buss
stop. Everything was free and the transport was on it's way every 15
minutes. Together with a gang of Japanese, we went through the main
factory guard, into the exciting Mercedes area. It took only 7 minutes.

Carl Benz "Dreirad Patent Motorwagen"Carl Benz 1844-1929, earned his money by building gas motors. These were manufactured in Mannheim factory. During this time he was
intensively working to carry out his idea about the self-running wagon.
For this he couldn't use gas engines. He developed for this purpose a
small 4-stroke petrol engine. It gave 0.4 ps at 400 rpm. The chassis that
Benz constructed had only 3 wheels. He didn't succeed to develop a
mechanism good enough for steering a four wheeler. With this engine car Benz did the first documented drive. July the 3rd 1886 in
Mannheim. This date is considered as the birth of cars. All museums that
will call themselves first class have a copy of Benz car. The original is
put at Deutsche Museum in München. Several rumours are saying that his
wife Clara took the car for a ride. If true, it's not the first time
because it should be documented.

Benz Viktoria 1893Benz biggest problem with his first car was the steering.
He was forced to build a "dreirad". Benz solved this problem on his
model Viktoria. He developed a system with kingpin steering. This gave
the front wheels the ability to turn with different angles. This is the
system that all cars have even today. The solution was to let the
kingpin lean in two directions. Everybody has heard about camber and
caster angles. For this Benz got patent and it forced other car builder
to make varying advanced solutions. The new way of steering was
demonstrated by Freiherr Theodor von Liebieg 1894, when he drove from
Reichenberg in Bohemia via Mannheim to Reims and back. This was of
course only an advertising gimmick in 2 ways. Theodor had to proof the
economical possibilities of the car and for Benz so he could get
investment money. For people it proofed the security of the car. In
spite of this the marked was not ready to buy cars. Only a few Viktoria
were sold. Possibly it was depending on wheels. Rubber air wheels didn't
come until 1898.Engine was 1 cyl., with bore of 150 and stroke of 165 giving 2915 cc. It
had 5 ps at 700 rpm. Because of unbalance an engine could not allow
higher rpm than 700. It was
DeDion
that solved that problem. Top speed was 35 km/h (on roads of that time) and
petrol consumption was 2 l/10km. Cooling system had room for 160 litres!!Benz production figures was only 69 cars between 1885 and 1893.

cars that had something else which paid the
purchasers attention, This car is the example of this. The first car
with 4 speed transmission. It was belt driven. In this way Daimler got a
smooth gearbox.
Note that the front beam was suspended in the middle and turned round
this point for steering. Same principle as a horse wagon.The car was equipped with a 2 cyl engine with 762 cc and had bore of 67
and stroke 108. Power figures at 700 rpm was 2.5 ps and top speed 20
km/h.

Velo 1894-1899In spite of all economical stubborn, Benz engine
continued to evaluate motor wagons. During this time his "gas motor"
factory almost become bankrupt. Large efforts was made to get more money.
No one believed in Benz car idea should give buyers. The first try gave
the sceptics right. The uncertain running "Dreirad Patent Motorwagen"
had a price of 4000 RM. It was to much money. Not even his second car,
Victoria, were met with any interest to speak of. At last his third try gave a
demand. He sold 67 cars 1894, 135 1895, 181, 1896. Velo was the first
serial produced car. It weighed 280 kg and had an engine of 1045 cc
which gave 1.5 ps. The price was 2200 gold marks. Totally he manufactured
till year 1900 ca 1800 cars of different models. This made Benz to
the worlds largest car producer.

Now we have reach 1902. Development went forward and you can notice that
engine is put in front under a hood. The car has got a steering wheel.
Air rubber tires that came 1898 has become much "fatter". Tires of low
pressure type. Headlights shining with acetylene? Top speed
had increased to 60 km/h. The engine is Benz "large", the 2 cyl
boxer
with bore of 125 and stroke 120, all together 2945 cc. Power 15 ps at
1100 rpm. This engine type was called the "contra engine". New price had
raised to 8500 gold marks for the 4-person version.
This car has a fantastic history. It
was buried many years under a heap of coal in Ireland. In which way it
was found there is no report. It was renovated at the Mercedes museum
1969.

Opposite of Daimler Benz had not realized the importance
and the worth of advertising value of racing cars. Yet he build this 2
cyl 2714 cc, 10 of at 1000 rpm and top speed of 50 km/h.

1899 Daimler Race Car "Phoenix"

4 cyl.,
bore 106, stroke 156, 5506 cc, Power at 950 rpm 27 ps and top speed of
80 km/h. Only 5 ex. of this car was build. This car in the museum is a
model of 1902 car. It belonged to Count Zborovski. The engine kept under 32
years a circular sawmill running. After restoration 1954 it came
to the museum 1969. This car is from the beginning an order of Emil Jellineck. The demand
was that it should have a 4 cyl engine. He competed later with it
in Tour de Nice. It was high fashion at that time to compete under
pseudonym and Jellinek put in his application for the competitions as
Mercedes. It was in fact his daughter's name. The car with
monsieur Mercedes won the competition. The car was developed 1900 with
longer wheelbase and lower point of gravity. Jellineck liked this design
so much that he put an order of 26 cars worth 550000 gold marks. But he
claimed to be reseller for Austria-Hungary, France and United states.
The car should also have the name Mercedes. After this all Daimler cars
was sold under the name of Mercedes. This name became a hit. Later when
Benz and Daimler were united, 1926, was the name Mercedes-Benz created.

These years came the first cars with front engine and rear drive. Among all different
models I can mention Benz Spider. The most important model was Mercedes
Simplex which got it's name because it was simple to handle. The car had
steering wheel and foot pedals, 4 gears forward and rear gear. One could later
get it with chain drive or transmission and differential. The
transmission of power was done with clutch,
plates and springs, which
was handled through a pedal. One had for the first time low pressure
tires. Cooling was done with honeycomb type cooler. For the
first time it was equipped with low pressure tires. In the first version
it was equipped with a 4 cyl, 5319 cc, bore 120, stroke 150 and a power
output of 40 ps at 1050 rpm. Mercedes, just like Benz, had developed a
system with 2 cyl block and valves build
together in a block placed like a
T (T-block). These blocks was build together to form a 2, 4 and later 6 cyl. engines. The lubrication was oil pressurized.
Benz also sold a model 1903 named Parisfal Benz 12/18 hp. It was put on stand at Paris
Motor Show 1902. A rival to Simplex.The remaining pictures of Simplex are from 1905 and1907 and are on stand at Sinsheim museum. Simplex had a very high standard
of construction and terribly expensive. The car from 1907 was bought by
the American agent and priced in today's value 4 million
mark. Completely impossible to sell. After 3 years in selling hall it was put away and
was stored. 1944 it was bought by Marianne Wing for 500
dollars as a gift to her husband. He kept the car till 1985 when it was sold to an
American collector. He couldn't handle the old technique so he
donated it to his church. They later sold it to the present owner. He
has lend it out to Sinsheim Museum. The engine in this 1907 model had 4
cyl. 9500 cc power of 70 ps. 1905 model had 4 cyl., 6800 cc and power
output of 45 ps.

1906 Mercedes Race CarDaimler (read Mercedes) had no good suitable engine for
a race car. See Phoenix Contra Benz 1899 race car. This car is an
expression for this. Maybach who made large engines, in the first hand
for air ships had to let Daimler take his 6 cyl. motor. Although Maybach
considered that 1 cyl is best 2 cyl. are acceptable, 4 cyl are to many
and 6 cyl are not worth discussion, was this his first 6 cyl. engine.
Bore 140, stroke 120 gave a volume of 11083 cc and with a power output
of 120 ps at 1400 rpm. This gave a top speed of 150 km/h. Note that bore
is bigger than stroke. On the engine picture you see the inlet side on
the T-block motor. Look also how they have tried to prevent the front
beam not to twist through the double friction absorbers with two bars
down to the axle. There is no talk about these cars success. One can
imagine that the construction was not a good one. Not until 1914
Mercedes came with a successful race car. In that car they took
advantage of the construction refinements from the car of 1906. Se
1914 Grand prix Car.

1909 Benz Race Car "Lightning-Benz"World record for speed was taken 1909 at Brooklands by Victor Hemery, when he
drove Lightning-Benz to a top speed of 202.68 km/h. Already 1911 the
American Bob Burman put a new record of impressive 228.1 km/h.
This record kept till 1919 mostly because of first world war. From
the beginning Blitzen Benz was build for 1908 French Grand Prix, but was rebuild as a
record breaker car 1909. Engine was 4 cyl, 2 block according to Benz
principle with enormous 21504 cc and highest power output at 1600 rpm
and for that time impressive 200 ps.Study the car and note the double acting friction absorbers. There are
drive chain

Double block engine. Ref. 1

on both sides. A differential is put in the chain axle. Yet
there is no talk about brakes. There is but only rear with outside brake lining
mechanically acted. There is place for hand crank to start engine. Yet
doubtful if anyone had the strength.The engine volume on 21 litre had overhead valves in 2 T-blocks and 2
sparkplugs/cylinder. You can see the pushrods coming up from the low
placed camshaft.

1914 Mercedes Grand Prix Racing CarMercedes successful race car was built for
1914 Grand Prix of France. Observe that this is still a Daimler.
Jellineck. The competition model took the first, second and third places. The
driver of the wining car was Lautenschlager. This car was later taken to
England by count Zborovski. He sold it in England to the Robinson
brothers. 1932 it was put away (nailed in) in a barn at Kelvedon farm
Essex. 1961 it was brought out by Mann and Sears and a renovation was
started

The Lautenschlager winning car 1914. Ref. 1

by H.J.K. Townsend. The renovation itself was done by Dick
Knight. The car at Mercedes museum was long believed to be the original,
but now it's found to be put together from two cars. Still 1922
the model was a winning car, modified of course. Among all races, it had
success at Targa Florio with Masetti as driver. Note at this time it was
always 1 driver and 1 mechanic who sat in the car. The engine was based
on Maybach aircraft engines and could reach 3200 rpm and had a power
output of 115 ps. Cylinder volume was 4483 cc. It gave a top speed of
180 km/h. Benz patent for steering was free now and the V-formed cooler
became a sign for Mercedes. The 3 pointed star was registered already
1909 by Daimler.This engine was a masterpiece. What to say about 4 valves/cyl. overhead
cam (single) and the beautiful designed inlet pipe with over pressure valve. Much copper, (it looks like that), may be because it was
easier to do than casting. Steering gear looks even like all modern type till
the servo was incorporated. There was no compressor until after the war.

1928 Mercedes "Schwarzer Prinz"From the beginning this was a S-type which was delivered
to Czechoslovakia. 1934 the car was modernized. It was very common to
update bodies for the most expensive cars. Besides a 3500cc, 6 cyl.
SS-engine, at 135 ps, the car got a very handsome roadster body. The
work was done by a well-established body builder in Prague. Firma Ulec.
The long front fenders and even the impressive motor hood caught easily
the eyes of looking people. Neither fender or motor bonnet was surpassed
by any Mercedes when this was done. Compare Mercedes 500 K Special
Roadster. It was not delivered until 1936. Still today "Schwarzer Prinz
can reach over 200 km/h. You can see this car at Sinsheim Museum.

Mercedes Benz Cabriolet B and C1934, 19368 cyl. 88x108 5018 cc. Without compressor 110
ps with 160 ps, top speed 160 km/h, priced 22000 RM.A small investigation.Cabriolet A had no rear side window and only a simple backseat
area.Cabriolet B hade rear side window and normal backseat area but it
was placed over the rear axle. One was sitting higher up than the
driver.Cabriolet C had nothing compared to A and b, but spare tires in
the front fenders or inside/on the rear deck lid.Sport/special roadster vas strictly 2 seated, with the
possibility for seats in the rear deck lid. Spare tire o the rear lid.

1938 Mercedes Benz 540K Special RoadsterThis Mercedes model is principle worth all money in the
world. Only 25 cars were built and 5 are still known to exist. Yet you
should know that different models was sold with this type of body.
Bodies with straight door and spare wheel in different places, hard top,
fixed head coupe, and Maharadja style, so it is uncertain what Mercedes
museum mean with the 25. The model could be ordered from 1936.
Sure is that the car you can see at Mercedes and Sinsheim museums are
one of them. One model with straight doors are to be found at
RossoBianco-museum.
A Maharadja type is shown at
Bugatti-museum
in Mohlsheim. I have also seen one at Åhlholms museum in Denmark. This museum is closed and
cars are sold out.
The backseat lid can be opened for another 2 seats. Another site showing
"Mighty Mercedes" is
C.F.Mirbach Historical Cars.5400 cc, 8 cyl. gave 115 ps without compressor and 180 with. Its max
speed was 170 km/h. Till 1938 it was delivered with 4 gear then 5.
Uncertain if any 5 gear was delivered before the war.NB. According to the book Mighty Mercedes it was only the first samples
that were equipped without side windows and hollow doors. It was then
equipped with straight doors and side windows.This car can be found at Sinsheim museum. (Ref. 4)

Mercedes-Benz Typ 6008 cyl bore 103, slag 95, 6332 cc 250 psTyp 600 was built between 1964-1981. It was manufactured with the latest
technic and with what you say regardless of cost. Buyer was of course
larger companies, government and royale families. Among all I can
mention shipyard managers drove around with type 600 between ship
launching of oil tankers. One reason was of course space and
refrigerator. These histories (without telling any details) I was told
during my time working at an engine supplier. This particular car is
called landaulet. It was delivered to Pope Paul VI.
The uncertain suspicions is that he got it free for advertising purposes,
otherwise it hadn't come back to Mercedes museum. The special thing was
that the driver was sitting isolated from the backseat. Only the normal
window between. Pope was sitting in a armchair a little higher up,
and had a roof hatch over. Just for Pope to be able to raise and bless
the people. Places for 4 bishops (security guards round him in much
simpler chairs. Note also the high up coupe part. MB 600 is an
impressing car and was manufactured in 2677 ex.Not yet, the second hand price on this type, has reached what to be paid
for pre-war cars. This means that the real Mercedes enthusiasts can
afford a used MB 600. Possibly they will never afford to support the car.
But why not, a 600 in garage. Sometimes it is enough to sit behind the
steering wheel saying: "Now I have only this and that to do".
You can see 2 Mb 600 at
Hoting Museum.

These cars that were special made for
different racing formulas by the orders of Das Reich. First model came
1937. It was W125 with 8 cyl, 94x102 and 435 kw. In fact the basic
look of the silver arrows was established already
1934 with the model W25 for 750 kg formel. A car designed by Nibel. This
type was
under development till
1939 when two models came. W154 with 2962 cc, 67x70,359 kw. The car won 6 important races this year. At the same time a car
was built
for Grosser Preis von Deutschland with driver Herman Lang. It got 1492 cc 8 cyl 64x58 187 kw and 245 km/h.
Rudolf Caracciola came second. This was the only race
with this car made
before the war. 1954 was Mercedes on the race tracks again with
196R. They had 2 genius men in Neubauer and constructor Uhlenhaut. These
men could take the knowledge as earlier men had gathered in Mercedes
drawing shelves. Who doesn't know Dr Porsche and why don't mention Ing.
Dr Rumpler. The cars was made both monoposto and as streamlines. They
got engines of 2497 cc 76x69 and 213 kw.
These cars are strictly linked to Juan Fangio, Karl Kling and Stirling
Moss. They won everything easy. Streamline model raced with success at
LeMans, just as the sport modell 300 SLR.Something about 300 SLR. One of the first road race cars which was
equipped with aerodynamic. The car had wings in front and air brake
which
was activated hydraulically by foot pedal. The construction was though not
good because of the air turbulence. It was used very rarely. The engine
with its desmodromical valves system is something for a connoisseur to
admire.When Mercedes withdraw from racing 1955 a winged proverb was created "but
if they ever come back we should know what to expect".…and now the are back again wining with Finnish drivers...

Detail pictures of different Sillver Arrows and model? This can be
a suitable question for some summer rally of the year. Look at
rear-view mirror, steering wheel and dashboard. Maybe the drivers seat
can give you a hint, or the incredible beautiful engine with compressor
front and overhead cam drive rear fully visible.Read aboutAuto Union,
the car that meet Mercedes with resistance.

Janne Berg. A good guy, became tired after 3 hours in the
museum. Lucky was that the cafeteria was open. One was able to look in the big hall. There on the wall a DB601 V12 was
mounted. An engine that was produced for more than 30000 aircraft and
totally more than 50000? ex. The engine that was installed in all
Messerschmidt and also was license produced in Sweden (Trollhättan) for
aircraft J21 with rear mounted propeller. Of this engine there is one
ex. at Eskilstuna Munktells, also at Skokloster (sold to Simrishamn) motor museum.